2013 Prius - Two or Three???

Upgraded sound system, as you said nav w/backup cam (option). The Toy website lists all the possibilities...

 

The solar roof is available on the Three, but does not come standard.

Aside from the Nav and backup cam already mentioned, the Three also comes with Toyota - Entune, Bluetooth voice command controls, and Smartkey sensors on three doors (the Two only has it on the driver's door).

 

OP, I went from a 2012 Two to a 2013 Three Solar Roof. I'll list all the differences that I've personally noticed, even though previous posters have already listed the major ones.

*Entune/Navigation--Media/Phone interface is completely different than non-Entune system found in Two.
*HD/XM satellite radio
*Voice command controls for navigation/media
*Backup Cam
*3 door smart key
**Sunroof with Solar ventilation system (sunroof package)
**Remote A/C (sunroof package)
**Lack of a sunglasses compartment (sunroof package)
***Illuminated flooring for driver/front passenger foot wells (IDK if this is a Three feat. or a Sunroof package feat.)

****I don't know if this is a difference or not, but here's what I noticed in my Three, that I don't recall noticing on my Two****:

*The window controls on the rear doors are marked with an illuminated dot for visibility like the front doors.
*When opening the front doors, there is a plastic step guard (IDK what you call it) on the door jamb with the prius logo engraved.

 

It must be a Three feature (or a new model year change), because have this and I don't have the sunroof package.

 

Need?

 

How important is the backup camera? I'm making this same choice tomorrow and feel like the back up camera is even more important in a Prius due to the poor visability out if the hatchback rear window... Of course that is just an assumption on my part.

 

Good for you. Sounds like you want one and if you have the means, deserve one. I don't think you're going to sell me on "need" though...

 

Every time I backup up my 11 pkg2 I want a backup camera! Will get it next time!

 

If you've ever backed up a '72 Skylark, you'll find that visibility on a Prius is a non-issue by comparison.

That said, as much as I like the novelty of the back-up camera and offer it the occasional glance to make sure none of ztanos's children have run up behind me as I'm backing, I'm not used to it, and compared to looking over my shoulder or using my mirrors, I find it disorienting to stare at as I back.

 

Coming from the Two, I thought that the back up cam was very important, as I had trouble seeing through the back (it was even worse with tinted windows). I always back into to my tight, cramped single car garage because I wouldn't be able to see my clearance if I'm going in head first. So you can imagine how much I'd value the camera.

BUT, after using it in my Three, I realize it's not that great for what I use it for. First off, I'm already used to looking over the shoulders, and having the screen doesn't make me feel any more confident in maneuvering (I almost feel like it just adds more distraction to the crowded rear windshield and the annoying reverse beeping). Secondly, the fisheye view kind of throws me off. I can't really tell how far I am from another object. A distance meter on the screen would've solved this issue.

The only real advantage that I can see (and probably what it's intended for) is if youre slowly backing out of a driveway or parking spot and a car or a kid on a bike crosses by or something. Overall, it is a feature that I'm happy to have, but I don't feel it's as good as it could be.

 

thanks for the input on the backup camera, sounds like its not as important as I believed it to be... maybe I'll stick with the Level 2 then

 

yes, if you're deciding on a Three only for the camera, it's not worth it.

 

What sold me on the Three was the Entune and the 3 door Smartkey system.

 

I concur.

 

The 3 door sks is a big plus to my surprise
I'm still undecided on the entune/nav. I don't like that I have to plug in my iphone just to use the entune, and that the apps are STILL limited after being released over a year ago. I also don't like all the data usage/traffic safety warning it pops up everytime I start the car, unless there's some way to turn it off?

 

I don't have any of these issues. Of course, I'm an Android user.

 

As far as I am aware, remote start is not a standard feature. If you get the A/C button on the remote, that is only for cooling the car down, not for warming it up.